The moment a homeowner starts planning a room refresh or a full addition, one of the first questions is “how much does an outlet cost?” CountBricks has analyzed thousands of residential projects and discovered that the price of installing a single receptacle can range widely—from as little as $75 for a quick swap-out to over $350 for a brand-new, code-compliant circuit. Understanding why that spread exists is the key to setting a realistic budget and avoiding surprises when the electrician arrives.
• Outlet type and rating: Standard 120-volt receptacles are the least expensive, while GFCI, AFCI, USB-combo, and smart outlets add premium material costs.
• Labor complexity: Replacing an existing outlet in finished drywall is quick; running new wire through fire-blocked studs, masonry, or a second-story wall adds hours.
• Local code and permitting: Municipal permit fees and required inspections vary, and they directly affect the final invoice. CountBricks automatically factors these in by ZIP code.
1. Simple replacement (same size, same amperage, no wiring changes): $75–$125
2. Upgrade to GFCI or USB combination on existing wiring: $95–$165
3. New outlet on existing circuit within 10 ft of power source: $125–$225
4. New outlet requiring new circuit from panel (20 ft+ run): $225–$350+
These figures combine material, labor, and average permit costs recorded across recent CountBricks residential projects. For real-time numbers specific to your neighborhood, start a voice conversation in the CountBricks app and receive an itemized estimate in seconds.
• Standard duplex outlet: $2–$4 each
• Decorator or tamper-resistant: $4–$7 each
• GFCI or AFCI: $15–$28 each
• Smart or Wi-Fi controlled: $22–$45 each
• Old-work remodel box, faceplate, and screws: $3–$6 per outlet
• Romex cable (per foot): $0.35–$0.60 depending on gauge
Because CountBricks taps directly into regional supplier databases, the platform updates these numbers daily. If copper prices jump overnight, your estimate reflects it instantly—no more surprises on material escalation clauses.
Electricians bill by the hour, but the time to install an outlet is anything but uniform. CountBricks’ field data shows the following averages:
• Swap-out in open wall: 0.4–0.6 labor hours
• Retrofit in finished drywall: 0.8–1.2 labor hours
• New circuit with attic crawl: 1.5–2.3 labor hours
Multiply the hours by your local shop rate—anywhere from $65 to $140 per hour—and you quickly see why proper scoping is crucial. The CountBricks voice estimator asks guiding questions—wall type, attic access, distance to panel—so you only pay for real, not assumed, labor.
Many homeowners forget that even a single outlet can require a permit. Municipal fees can add $25–$90, plus a mandatory inspection visit. CountBricks embeds these numbers automatically by jurisdiction, saving time on compliance paperwork and preventing costly re-work.
• Safety first: National Electrical Code changes every three years; a licensed pro ensures compliance and insurance coverage.
• Warranty value: CountBricks-vetted electricians provide a standard one-year workmanship warranty that protects your investment.
• Tool cost: Purchasing fish tape, wire strippers, and a GFCI tester can exceed $85—almost the labor cost for a small job.
While an experienced DIYer can legally replace an existing outlet in many states, adding new receptacles almost always requires a permit and inspection. CountBricks streamlines the hiring process by matching you with qualified local trades, complete with digital certificates and insurance validation.
1. Voice intake: Simply say, “Add two USB outlets to the nursery wall,” and CountBricks parses the request.
2. AI takeoff: The software references digital blueprints or prompts you to snap a quick photo. Stud spacing, breaker panel location, and finish materials are detected automatically.
3. Regional pricing engine: Live feeds from supply houses and building departments update material and permit numbers.
4. Labor algorithm: Complexity factors adjust hours and shop rates based on historic averages from verified CountBricks projects in your ZIP code.
5. One-click proposal: The homeowner receives a branded PDF quoting price, timeline, and scope, ready to accept electronically.
• Bundle tasks: Scheduling three or four outlet upgrades in one visit reduces the mobilization fee.
• Pre-paint installations: If walls are already open for drywall or paint, labor hours drop by up to 40 percent.
• Use multi-gang boxes: Combining outlets and switches in a single box saves material and trim time.
• Plan circuits early: During remodel design, CountBricks’ AI suggests optimal circuit routes, minimizing cable length and breaker additions.
Modern outlets with USB or smart control increase both convenience and appraised value. CountBricks market analysis shows a typical 120 percent ROI on kitchen GFCI retrofits when homes sell within five years. Buyers notice safe, code-compliant receptacles as much as new countertops.
Ready for exact numbers tailored to your home? Start a free voice session inside CountBricks.com/services, upload your floor plan, and receive a line-by-line estimate plus scheduling options with vetted electricians.
CountBricks—turning “how much does an outlet cost” into a precise, data-backed answer, every single time.
CountBricks recently completed a bungalow kitchen upgrade in Providence. The homeowners wanted two GFCI outlets by the sink and one USB-combo receptacle on a new backsplash wall. Using the CountBricks voice intake, the couple described their goals in under 90 seconds. Here’s how the process unfolded.
The clients uploaded a smartphone photo of the existing wall. CountBricks’ blueprint engine detected stud bays, measured the 12-inch tile height, and flagged that the nearest circuit had capacity for an additional 4 amps—saving the cost of a new breaker.
• Material: $64 for two GFCI devices, one USB outlet, three decorator plates, and in-wall cable.
• Labor: 1.7 hours at the local shop rate of $95, totaling $161.50.
• Permit: $35 residential electrical minor work fee auto-pulled from city data.
Total quoted price: $260.50. The homeowners e-signed through CountBricks.com/portfolio within an hour.
1. Electrician arrival to final test: 2 hours 5 minutes, matching the AI forecast within three minutes.
2. No change orders were needed because wall composition and circuit capacity were verified during the digital takeoff.
3. CountBricks generated the final invoice and warranty certificate automatically, storing both in the homeowner dashboard.
• Front-loaded data collection eliminates overruns. The photo-based takeoff confirmed stud layout and tile seams, so the electrician arrived ready with a roto-zip and correct box type.
• Bundling tasks matters. Doing all three receptacles in one visit trimmed 0.4 labor hours from the original manual estimate.
• Transparency builds trust. Seeing line-item costs before work began turned the typical “mystery electrician bill” into a predictable line in the renovation budget.
If you’re still guessing how much an outlet cost in your own project, replicate this success by launching a free CountBricks voice estimate today. Precision, speed, and zero surprises—that’s the CountBricks promise.
